Spindle lubricating means



June 1941- R. BERGMANN tar/u. 2,245,564

' SPINDLE LUBRICATiNG MEANS Filed Feb. 29, 1940- 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Envcntor: IQICHAR D F. E) ERGMANN AND CFL'AR ENCE C.WA L TERS Julie 17,1941. R.-Fa B ERGMANN ETAL 2 5 SPINDLE LUBRICATING MEANS Filed Feb. 29, 1940 a sheets-shah :s

W m .NS m M W ME GUM WA a F DC mm m? EL C Patented June 7, 1941 Richard F. Bergmann, Lakewood, and Clarence C.

Walters, Fairvie'w Village, hio,'assignors to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application February :9, 1940, Serial No. 321,488

19 Clllmi.

This invention relates to improved means for insuring positive lubrication of mechanisms involving simultaneous reciprocatory and rotational motion of the component parts thereof.-

the apparatus; at thesame time, means are provided for directing the lubricant back to the reservoir for recirculation. By mounting a suitable container upon the spindle, an adequate supply of lubricating medium may be maintainedwith little, if any, loss of lubricant due to splashing or More particularly, it relates to means for lubrleating a mechanism including a spindle about leakage. In the interests of the safety of the which a rotatable sleeve is mounted in a manner operator, an enclosure is employed to surround permitting relative reciprocation of the sleeve certain of the moving parts devoted to lubrication and spindle. While the concept of the invention of the apparatus. is readily capable of adaptation to many kindred Although, as indicated, the invention is appliforms of apparatus, the present application is escable to numerous mechanisms of similar char-- pecially concerned with the applicability of such acter, the accompanying drawings illustrate two lubricating means to spinning, twisting or preferred embodiments of the invention. doubling machinery such, for example, as cap- Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of a spinning apparatus. l5 cap-spinning i'rame showing the lifting rail in Anyone cognizant of the diiiiculties experiits lowermost position. Figure 2 is a sectional enced in the continuous operation of such equipelevation taken at right angles to the plane of ment is well aware of the tremendous maintethe section shown in Figure 1, the lifting rail nance costs involved in the repairand replacebeing shown in the uppermost position of its n.ent of parts damaged as a result of inadequate e p o y y F su which c elubrieation. Due to the increasingly high speeds -,Sponds generally to Figure 1, represents a secof operation of twisting frames and cap-spinning tional elevation of another embodiment of the apparatus devoted to the twisting and packaging invention the principle of which is generally of thread or the like, the problem of adequately similar-to that of the apparatus 01 Figures 1 lubricating the rapidly moving parts thereof has and '2. Fi ure which r sp ds enerally to become more and more diilicult. Most of the de- Figure 2, illustrates a sectional elevation of the vices known to the art possess shortcomings in I apparatus of Fi consequence of which they fail to answer satis- Figure 5 is a partial sectional e va on an factorily the exacting lubrication requirements enlarged scale of the Portion oflihe device of F 8- imposed by the desideratum of preventing excesures 3 and 4 devoted to the function of effecting sive frictional wear of the parts of the apparatus. lubrication li appinn ng apparatus. Fi ur In many prior art devices, even though th 6 represents a horizontal section from line 6-6 of supply of lubricant originally Provided is suf- Figure 5. Figure 7 is a sectional plan of the apiicient at the outset. leakage from the supply paratus of'Figu're 5 as seen from line 1-!- source results in rapid depletion of the available Fi ure 8 is a horizontal section. taken from line lubricating medium. In others, loss of lubricatof Fi ur Flgure which s 8 56013101181 ing medium is brought about by the splashing or p a fr m line 9-9 f Fi ure 5. may a be throwing of the lubricant as a result of high speed taken to be a sectional plan from line 9-9 of operation, an attribute which is particularly dis- Figure 1. advantageous in the manufacture of thread or the 40 In the embodiment of the invention illustrated like inview of the fact that the quality of the in Figure 1, spin e III servesto s po t can product is adversely affected by contamination. being esi iently mou ed p fi a H in a In both cases, the concomitant inconvenience m r imil r to th t Sh w ri ed and involved in keeping the apparatus clean is overclaimed in Jordan et al. Patent No. 2,135,519, shadowed by the danger to the operator occagranted November 8, 1938. Lifting rail l3, which sioned by floors made slippery by the presence p r pr ry motion e apparatus, of lubricant. In any even, close attendance u on carries a resiliently mounted bolster M which is the apparatus is imperative to prevent breakslidable longitudinally of spindle it. By means downs consequent upon insuflicient lubrication. oi antifriction bearings i1 and I8, bols r ll 11 These difficulties the present invention over- 50 ports a rotatable whirl l6 upon sleeve portion l5. comes by providing upon the spindle a lubricant Whirl l6, which is driven by ui a le m n reservoir from which, by reason of relative resuch, for example, as a belt, supports a bobbin ciprocation of the spindle and the-sleeve, lubriit held in place by pins 2|. cant may be delivered to the bearing surfaces of Spindle it extends through a hole 22 of slightly larger diameter than said spindle in outstanding leg 30 of fixed rail I. The lower portion of spindle i is threaded to accommodate stop nuts 23 and jam nuts 29 positioned above and below leg 30 of fixed rail II. On the upper side of said leg 30 is disposed a washer plate 25 urgedthereagainst by the action of spring 33. As shown in Figure 9, a portion of spindle Hi just above leg 30 is provided with two parallel flattened Dortions 23 which engage slot 24 of washer plate 25. A T-head bolt 26 threaded into leg 33 cooperates with slot 2'! to maintain washer plate 25 in fixed position.

It is desirable, but not necessary, to provide lifting rail l3 with a mounting for bolster I4 of the kind illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. Sleeve portion l of bolster l4 extends above lifting rail I3 while butt portion 34 extends downward through a hole 35 in lifting rail |3 of considerably larger diameter than said butt portion.

A flanged portion 36 on bolster I4 bears against a resilient washer 31 encircling hole 35 which washer is conveniently made of some flexible material as co'rk, rubber, leather or the like. Flanged portion 36 of bolster I4 is urged against washer 31 and lifting rail |3 by a plurality of springs 33 disposed between the under side of lifting rail l3 and the heads of bolts 33 threaded into flanged portion 36. I

Disposed about spindle It at a point above fixed rail II is a lubricant reservoir 4| comprising in its preferred form a transparent bell-shaped shell 42, preferably made from glass, cellulose acetate or some like material, sealed into a base 43 secured to a male fitting 44 forming part of a coupling 45. Through the agency of a flexible packing washer 46 and a metal ring 41 held in place upon spindle ID by means of male fitting 44 and a cooperating fema'l fitting 43, coupling 45 serves to locate reservoir 4 in the desired position axially of the spindle I05, Lock nut 3|, which screws onto the threaded'gportion of spindle I3, is provided with spacer "which serves to jam female fitting 44 into place 'so as to prevent it from becoming loosened.

As previously indicated, bolster 14 includes a sleeve portion l5 which extends above and a butt portion 34 which extends below lifting rail I3. Associated with butt portion 34 of bolster I4 is a lubricant conveying means 43 which, for purposes of illustration, takesthe form of an annular container 5|. Container 5| is spot welded onto butt portion 34 of bolster H in juxtaposition to one or more openings such as ports 53 extending through the outer wall and into the inner bore 52 of the butt portion 34 of bolster I4.

The part of butt portion 34 of bolster H extending below conveying means 43 is preferably tapered in the manner shown for the purpose of y causing any excess lubricant clinging to the outer surface thereof during the interval in which the apparatus is either in or near the position illustrated in Figure 2 to drain toward spindle [0. In

- this fashion, the lubricant will run down the spindle and return to lubricant reservoir 4|. It is apparent that the butt portion 34 of bolster |4 could, if desired, be given some other suitable shape.

On flanged portion 33 of bolster I4 is mounted a lubricant cup 54 having an upwardly extending internal collar portion 53 which encircles sleeve portion I5 of said bolster l4. Said lubricant cup 54 is held in place on bolster l4 by means of antifriction bearing I3 which engages said collar portion 50 thereof. In the bottom of cup 34 adjacent collar portion 50, a drain hole 53 is provided which is surrounded by a downwardly extending skirt portion 55 cooperating with channel 51 in bolster l4 to locate said cup 54. If desired, cup 54 may conveniently be formed integrally with flanged portion 36 of bolster l4.

In the operation of the device, when lifting rail l3 approaches the lowermost position in its cycle of reciprocation, butt portion 34 of bolster l4 enters reservoir 4| through opening 58 in shell 42. Before coming to rest, it proceeds downward until annular container 5| of conveying means 43 is submerged in the lubricant in reservoir 4|. To whatever extent may be necessary, depending upon the amount of lubricant, if any, present in annular container 5|, lubricant from reservoir 4| flows into fill annular container 5| and ports 53 in the wall 'of butt portion 34 of bolster l4. The lubricant thus caught in container 5| of conveying means 43 is subsequently I low bearing 18, temporarily collects the lubricant 4 applied to spindle H) by means of ports 53 in such manner as to lubricate the bearings between bolster l4 and spindle l0.

This operation is effected as hereinafter outlined by movement of bolster H from the position illustrated in Figure 1 to that illustrated in Figure 2.

When, in response to movement of lifting rail l3, bolster I4 is at the uppermost extremity of its reciprocatory cycle, annular container 5| of conveying means 43 is disposed in juxtaposition to one or more recesses 53 formed in the surface of spindle Hi. In this position, lubricant from said conveying means 49 flows into said recesses, substantially filling them. Subsequently, bolster |4 recedes in response to downward movement of lifting rail l3, but the lubricant entrapped in re- .cesses 53 remains there until the uppermost edge of sleeve l5 of bolster |4 moves below recesses 53, permitting the lubricant to escape. a

After escaping from recesses 53, the lubricant flows by gravity through antifriction bearings ii and IS in whirl l6. If desired for the protection of antifriction bearings l1 and It, means may be employed to prevent the passage of lubricant therethrough until any extraneous matter which may be present in said lubricant has been removed. With this' in mind, a filter taking the form, for example, of a porous felt washer 60 surmounting the upper :bearing ll may be employed to filter the lubricant before permitting it to pass through said "bearings ll and I3 on its way to lubricant reservoir 48 Cup 54, disposed on bolster |4 immediately bewhich passes in this manner through whirl l6. As already mentioned, hole 56 in the base of cup 54 and channel 51 in flanged portion 36 of bolster H are aligned with each other and with opening 53 in shell 42 of reservoir 4|. When, therefore, the lubricant reaches cup 54, it drains through hole 56 and channel 51, flowing thence over the surface of butt portion 34 of bolster l4 through opening 53 into lubricant reservoir 4|. 0n subsequent reciprocations of the bolster l4, the lubricant is repeatedly recirculated.

Extending downward from and supported by lifting rail I3 is a tubular enclosure 6| which, in its lowermost position, virtually completely surrounds'the lower portion of spindle III. In large part, such tubular enclosure prevents splashing of lubricant from the lubricating mechanism; however, it is intentionally made short enough so that when thelifting rail I3 is in its uppermost position, the amount of lubricant in the reservoir 4| may easily be observed by the operator. Tu-

buiar member 8i may be supported from the under side of lifting rail 18 in any convenient manner as, for example, by means of washers 82 inserted between a flange 88 forming part of said enclosure and springs 38 which, together with bolts 88, form part of the previously described resilient mounting for bolster l4.

The'structure of Figures 3 to 9, inclusive, is in many respects similar to that of Figures 1 and 2. For instance, it involves a spindle l8 supporting a cap I! which spindle is resiliently mounted upon fixed rail li. noted, differs only slightly from its counterpart in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures l and 2, is mounted in'like fashion on lifting rail II for reciprocation relatively to spindle iii. A whirl I8 is supported as before from bolster i4 by means of.antifriction bearings i1 and i8 and is surmounted by bobbin l8 held in place by pins 2 l.

Mounted about the lower portion of spindle l8 near its mounting upon fixed rail I I is a vertically A bolster I4, which,as will be The relationship of these parts is such. that when lifting rail i8 approaches the lowermost po sition of its reciprocatory cycle, piston 88, cylinder l8, spring "and butt portion 84 of bolster l4 enter the open end of lubricant reservoir 88.

A flexible washer I8 is provided upon base 81 of reservoir 88, the purpose of which is to produce a cushioning effect on and to form a seal for the open end of cylinder 18 which comes into contact with the base 61 of reservoir 88 when lifting rail i8 is-in the position represented in Figure 5 of the drawings. In such position, lip portion 14 of cylinder 18 is out of engagement with shoulder 15 of piston 88.

In the wall of cylinder I8 is provided a plurality of holes I1 permitting the passage of lubricant therethrough for purposes hereinafter to be deextending lubricant reservoir 85x Such lubricant reservoir preferably takes the form of a hollow cylinder having one open end. extending upward in such manner as to enable it to receive the lower end of bolster i4. Coupling 45 serves to support reservoir 85 upon spindle i8 in such manner that, when lifting rail I8 is in the lowermost position of its reciprocatorycycle, -a limited amount of lateral clearance is provided between the inner surface of reservoir 8| and the outer surface of bolster i4. As explained hereinafter, no endwise clearance is provided between bolster l4 and the closed end of lubricant reservoir 85.

Lubricant reservoir 85 in its preferred form comprises a transparent barrel 88 of glass, cellulose acetate or other suitable material cemented, fused or otherwise secured to a base 81 of plastic material which insures a firm bond between barrel 88 and base 81. If desired, a metal receptacle fabricated as a unit may be substituted for the transparent barrel and base herein described;

however, the ability to ascertain atany time the quantity of lubricant in the reservoir 85 is a feature of considerable practical importance. Base 81 is secured in any suitable fashion to coupling vided with a spacer 82 which assists in locatin reservoir 85 in its properp'osition axially of spindle l0. It also serves to Jam female fitting 48 into place, thereby preventing it from becoming loos-- ened, whether as a result of vibration of the spin-- dle assembly as a whole or of the high pressures developed within the reservoir 65 when the device is in operation.

To butt portion 34 of bolster i4 is secured a, pist to 89 which has an internal bore Ii extending longitudinally thereof which bore is of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of spindle iii.

A hollow cylinder 13 disposed with its open end scribed.

In the flanged portion 88 of bolster i4 is formed a shallow lubricant receptacle l8. Communicatof bolster i4. Completely surrounding the lowermost edge of-whiri i8 is a shield 88- which is sprung into place in a shoulder 84 formed in receptacle l8.

Shield 88 serves not only to prevent, the entrance of dirt, dust and other extraneous matter into the lubricant contained in receptacle 78, but

also to eliminate the splashing of lubricant therefrom during the operation of the apparatus. As a precautionary measure against the throwing of lubricant by the rapidly rotating whirl ii, a deflector ring'85 provided with a single downwardly to house the lubricating mechanism. Said enclosure "is conveniently made of such length that it will extend just below the top edge of barrel 88 of lubricant reservoir when lifting rail I3 is at the uppermost limit of its reciprocatory cycle. This arrangement insures protection against contamination of the lubricant, prevents the operator from unnecessary contact with moving parts, and permits the level of lubricant in lubricant reservoir 88 to be observed.

extending downward is slidably mountedupon shank 12 of piston 88 in such fashion that-lip portion 14 at the other end thereof is adapted to engage a shoulder I5 on piston 88. A spring 16 is disposed between butt portion 84 of bolster l4 and lip portion 14 of cylinder 18 for the purpose of urging lip portion 14 into engagement'with One or more holes, such as that indicated by reference character 88, may advantageously be provided in enclosure 81. It has been found that the supply of lubricant in receptacle 85 may be replenished without stopping tlfe machine as a whole by injecting lubricant through hole 88 during the interval when lifting rail li'is in such position that hole 88 is above the upper edge of barrel 68 of lubricant reservoir 88.

When lifting rail I3 is in its uppermost position, lubricant pocket 82 in bolster i4 is in juxta- The internal diameter of cylinder the form of a position to a cooperating lubricant opening formed in spindle I0. Such lubricant opening is preferably formed by cutting keyways 89 on either side of spindle l8 directly opposite each other and connecting them by means of a hole 98 drilled transversely of the spindle. When formed in this manner, the lubricant opening is adapted to receive from pocket 82 substantially all of the lubricant therein contained and, as hereinafter explained,- to discharge it freely when bolster I4 is in the proper position.

The modus operandi of the apparatus may best be understood by assuming that the device is starting operation from the position illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings, in which lifting rail I3 is at the uppermost extremity of its reciprocatory cycle. In this position, pocket 82 in bolster l4 communicates with the lubricant opening com prising keyways 89 and hole 90 in spindle I8. Furthermore, lip portion ll of cylinder 13 is urged by spring 18 into engagement with shoulder portion I5 of piston 69. As will be apparent from the description which follows, it is in this relationship of the elements that lubricant entrapped in pocket 82 of bolster H by previous operation of the apparatus drains into openings 89, 89 and 90 of spindle l9.

As lifting rail I3 begins its descent, the inner bore 52 of bolster ll" comes into contact with the lubricant held within openings 89, 8-9 and 90 and is thus lubricated. When lifting rail l3 has descended to a point at which the uppermost edge of sleeve portion l5 of bolster I4 is opposite openings 89, 89-and 98, the lubricant remaining therein is discharged. The discharged lubricant passes through porous washer 86 and antifriction bearing |'-'lto the inside of whirl l8, thence through bearing l8 into receptacle 19 in flanged portion 36 of bolster I4, and finally out through channel 8| and bore H of piston 89 to lubricant reservoir 85.

As lifting rail l3 continues to descend, the lower edge of cylinder I3 contacts Washer 18 on base 61 of reservoir 85. When brought into contact with washer 18, cylinder 13 entraps therein a portion of the lubricant contained in reservoir 68. Lifting rail II in continuing its descent now causes lip portion ll of cylinder 19 and butt portion 34 of bolster H to compress spring '18 between them. Meanwhile, piston 69 starts downward within cylinder 13 and thelubricant entrapped therein is displaced by being forced upward within bore H of said piston through channel ll, thus filling receptacle l9 and pocket 82 in bolster ll.

When piston i9 is in its lowermost position with respect to cylinder 18, the previously describedholes II in the wall of--said cylinder adcant in draining back to reservoir 89 thus comes into contact with spindle-ll and provides addi- I tional lubrication for bore 52 of bolster l4 and- No dust, dirt or other foreign matter can get into the lubricant to damage the'moving parts. Positive lubrication of the rapidly moving elements of the apparatus is provided at all times. Obviously, however, many modifications may be made therein without vin any way departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention. 1

What is claimed is:

1. Means for lubricating a, mechanism including a shaft about which is disposed, for reciprocation with respect thereto, a sleeve upon which is rotatably mounted a member capable of rotation about the axis of said shaft comprising a lubricant reservoir mounted upon the shaft; at least one opening in the shaft; means operating through the agency of said sleeve for supplying lubricant to the shaft during relative reciprocation of said shaft and said sleeve and transmit- .ting a portion of the lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the opening in the shaft; and means for effecting lubrication of the bearin surfaces of the member rotatably mounted on said sleeve while directing the lubricant back to the lubricant reservoir.

2. Means for lubricating a mechanism including a shaft about which is disposed, for reciprocation with respect thereto, a sleeve upon which is rotatably mounted a member capable of rotation about the axis of said shaft comprising a lubricant reservoir mounted upon the shaft; means associated with the sleeve for accepting a portion of the lubricant from the lubricant reservoir as the sleeve approaches one of the extremities of its reciprocatory motion with respect to said shaft; an opening in the shaft which communicates with and drains the lubricant from said means associated with said sleeve as the sleeve approaches the other extremity of its reciprocatory motion with respect to said shaft; means for effecting lubrication of the bearing surfaces by which the rotatably mounted member is supported from said sleeve; and means for directing the lubricant back to the lubricant reservoir.

3. Twisting apparatus comprising a substantially vertical spindle; a bolster mounted about and reciprocable relatively to said spindle; a whirl carried by said bolster; bearing means upon the bolster by means of which said whirl is rotatably mounted; a lubricant reservoir mounted upon the spindle below the bolster; means operatively associated with the bolster during the relative reciprocation of said bolster and sald spindle for conducting lubricant from said reservoir to said bearing means; and'means for directing the lubricant .back to the lubricant reservoir.

4. Means for lubricating a mechanism including a shaft about which is disposed, for reciprocation with respect thereto, a sleeve upon which is mounted a member capable of rotation about the axis of said shaft comprising a lubricant reservoir mounted upon the shaft; means operatively associated with the sleeve during the relative reciprocation between said sleeve and'sald shaft for conducting lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the bearing surfaces between said rotatably mounted member and said sleeve; and means-for directing the lubricant back to said lubricant reservoir.

5. Means for lubricating a nriechanism includsleeve operating by virtue of the sleeve with respect to the recess in the spindle;

. below the bearing means;

ing a shaft about which is disposed, to: reciprocation with respect thereto, a sleeve upon which is mounted a member capable of, rotation about the axis of said shaft comprising a lubricant reservoir mounted upon the shaft; at least one recess in the shaft; means associated with said the relative reciprocation between the sleeve and the shaft to accept lubricant from the lubricant reservoir, supply a portion of said lubricant to the shaft, and transmit the remainder of said lubricant to the recess in said shaft; and means for effecting the lubrication of the bearing surfaces between the rotatably mounted member and the sleeve and simultaneously directing the lubricant back to the lubricantreservoir.

6. Means for lubricating a mechanism including a shaft about which is disposed, for reciprocation with respect thereto, is supported a member capable of rotation about the-axis of said shaft comprising a lubricant reservoir mounted upon the shaft; conveying means forming part of said sleeve for accepting a portion of the lubricant from the lubricant reservoir as the sleeve approaches one of the extremties ofits reciprocatory motion with respect to said shaft; one or more recesses in said shaft which communicate withand drain said lubricant from said conveying means as the sleeve approaches the other extremity of its reciprocatory' motion with respect to said shaft; means for effecting lubrication of the means by which the rotatably mounted member is supported from said sleeve; and means for directing the lubricant back to the lubricant reservoir.

.7. Means for lubricating a mechanism of the character described in claim in which is provided shielding meansdisposed about the lower portion of the sleeve in such manner that the lubricant reservoir is substantially fully enclosed throughout the entire cycle of reciprocation of shaft.

8. Twisting apparatus comprising an upright spindle; a bolster mounted about and reciprocable with respect to said spindle; a whirl carried by said bolster; bearing means by which said whirl is rotatably mountedupon said bolster; a lubricant reservoir mounted upon the spindle; at least one recess in said spindle; means associated with the bolster operating by virtue of the relative reciprocation of the bolster and the spindle to receive lubricant from the lubricant reservoir, supply a portion of the lubricant to'the bore of the bolster so as to lubricate the,spindle and transmit the remainder of said lubricant to the and means for effecting the lubrication of the bearing means by which the whirl is supported from the bolster while directing the lubricant back to the lubricant reservoir.

9. Twisting apparatus comprising an upright spindle; a bolster mounted about and reciprocable with respect to said spindle; a whirl carried by said bolster; bearing ineans by which said I whirl is rotatably supported from said bolster;

a sleeve upon which with respect to said spindle; means lubrication of the bearing means tory motion for eflecting the by which the whirl is supported from the bolster; v

of rotation about the axis of said shaft comprising a lubricant reservoirmounted upon the shaft; piston means fixed to the sleeve; means resiliently mounted about the piston means for entrapping therein a portion of the lubricant in said reservoir when said piston means is introduced thereto as the sleeve approaches one of the Y extremities of its reciprocatory motion; lubricant receiving means associated with said sleeve; means cooperating with the piston means for conducting lubricant displaced by. said piston means to said lubricant receiving means; an opening in said shaft which communicates with and drains the lubricant from said lubricant receiving'means as the extremity of its reciprocatory motion; and means for eifecting lubrication of the bearing surfaces of the member rotatably mounted on said sleeve .while directing the lubricant back to the lubricant reservoir.- 7

11. Means for lubricating a mechanism of the character described in claim 10 in which the piston means depend fromfthe sleeve for reciprocation in a substantially vertical direction.

12. Means for lubricating a mechanism of the character described in claim-10 in which the piston means is provided "with an internal channel through piston means is conducted to the lubricant receiving means associated with the sleeve.

13. Means for lubricating a mechanism of the character described in claim 10 in which is provided shielding means disposed-about the lower portion of the sleeve in such manner that the lubricant reservoir is substantially fully enclosed throughout the entire cycle of reciprocation of the sleeve with respect to the shaft.

14. Means for lubricating a mechanism of the character described in claim 10 in, which is provided shielding means disposed about the lower portion of the sleeve in such manner that the lubricant reservoir is substantially fully enclosed throughout the entire cycle of reciprocation of the sleeve with respect to the. shaft and means associated with said shielding means of such character that the supply of lubricant in the lu-' bricant reservoir may be replenished without interruptin-g the continuous operation of the mecha lubricant reservoir mounted upon the spindle conveying means forming part of the bolster for accepting a portion of the lubricant from the lubricant reservoir as the bolster approaches one of the extremities of its reciprocatory motion with respect to said spindle; one or more recesses in said spindle which communicate with and drain said lubricant from said conveying means as the bolster approaches the other extremity of its reciprocable relatively anism.

15. Means for lubricating amechanism of the character described in claim 10 in which the member rotatably mounted upon the sleeve is supported therefrom by one or more bearing means and means disposed between the bearing means and the lubricant receiving means associated with the sleeve for preventing the splashing of the lubricant from said lubricant receiving means resulting from the surge imparted to said lubricant by the operation of the piston means.

l6. Twisting apparatus comprising an upright.

spindle; a bolster mounted about and reciprocasaid bolster; bearing means of which said-whirl is rotatably mounted; a lubricant reservoir mounted .upon said spindle sleeve approaches the other which the lubricant displaced by said to said spindle; a whirl carried by means upon said bolster by below said bolster; a piston depending from said bolster; means resiliently mounted about said piston for entrapping therein at least a portion of the lubricant contained in said reservoir as the bolster approaches its lowermost position; a recess in said bolster; means associated with said piston for conducting to said recess a portion of the lubricant displaced by said piston; an opening extending substantially transversely of said spindle which communicates with and drains the lubricant from said recess in said bolster as the latter approaches its uppermost position, said opening being adapted to discharge lubricant to said bearing means as said bolster again approaches its lowermost position; and means Ior directing such discharged lubricant back to said lubricant reservoir.

17. Twisting apparatus of the type claimed in claim 16 in which is provided shielding means disposed about the lower portion of the bolster in such manner that the lubricant reservoir is substantially fully enclosed throughout the entire cycle of reciprocation of said bolster with respect to the spindle.

entire cycle of reciprocation of said bolster with respect to the spindle; and means associated with said shielding means of such character that the supply of lubricant in the lubricant reservoir can bereplenished without interrupting the continuous operation of the apparatus.

19. Twisting apparatus of the character described in claim 16 in which is provided means disposed between the bearing means by which the whirl is rotatably supported on the bolster and the recess in the bolster for preventing the splashing of lubricant from said recess resulting from the surge imparted to said lubricant by the operation of the piston.

RICHARD F. BERGMANN. CLARENCE C. WALTERS. 

